Story by Karthik Rangappa

Illustrations by Tarun Andrews

Two little girls, Annie and Anu, were the best of friends. They lived in
a small village in Goa. The villagers adored these little girls, as they
were always willing to help people. One day, while helping Michael the
milkman carry the milk to the market, they accidently spilt all the milk.
Michael was quite upset as he would not earn any money for that
entire week. While they worried about the spilt milk, Annie suddenly
realized she could help Uncle Michael. Meanwhile, Anu learns a very
important lesson from Annie.

This simple story attempts to explain the importance of saving money regularly
from a very early age in life.
Two little girls,
Annie and Anu, lived in a tiny
village near Loutolim, Goa.
They were the best of friends.

They went to the same school and

they always played together.
The villagers were very fond of Annie and Anu, as they
were always willing to help people.
In return for all the help, the villagers would often
reward the girls.

Some gave them small knick knacks, some gave them

snacks to eat, and some even gave them coins!
One sunny Sunday morning,
they helped Bholu the shepherd look after
his sheep as they grazed happily on a grassy hillock.
 “You girls are so kind and helpful,”
said Bholu, and offered them each a
tall glass of sweet milk.
One day they helped Rani, the flower lady
to make a nice garland.
Rani was so happy with the girls that she gave
them both beautiful roses.
One day they helped Rodriguez, the postman
to sort out the letters in his post office.
Rodriguez gave them both 5 coins each and said,
“Buy some sweets with this, children.”
With the coins they got from Rodriguez, they ran to the
local sweet shop to buy kulkuls*.

Anu used up every single one of her 5 coins but Annie

only used 2, and put the rest in her bag.
“Why are you putting the coins in your bag?” asked Anu

“I’m saving them for another day,” said Annie, with a smile
on her face.

Anu was confused.

*Kulkuls are crunchy, sugar-glazed curls traditional to Goa

One day, while returning from school,
they saw Michael the milkman.

Michael was old and was struggling to

carry the milk cans.
“Please let us help you, Uncle Michael,” said Anu.

“I would love that Anu dear, but these are the only three cans
of milk I have, and I need to take it to the market safely,” said
Michael.
“Promise! We will be careful with your milk cans,” said Anu.

“Alright children, you can help me carry these two cans,”

said Michael, and handed them a milk can each.
The three of them started walking towards the market.

Swisshhhhh…….
a cat crossed the road and startled little Anu!

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks!” she screamed, and jumped aside

knocking down both Annie and Michael.
They all fell down, and the milk
was spilt on the ground.

“Anu! It is just a cat,”

said Michael, in a sad voice,
looking at the spilt milk.
“My cows are sick, and these were the only 3 cans of milk
I got this whole week. I had to sell them in the market to
earn some money. What do I do now?” said Michael.
Anu felt terrible, “I’m sorry!” she cried.

The three of them sat on the road, feeling very sad.

“Idea!” said Annie all of a sudden.

“I have saved some coins, Uncle Michael.

You can take them from me and give it back
whenever you can!” said Annie,
in an excited voice.
“That is really nice of you Annie. This
will help me a lot! But are you sure?”
asked Michael.

“Yes uncle, I’ve saved my coins for a

day like this. You can take them today.
You need it more than I do,” said Annie.
“This is very kind of you Annie,”
said Michael.

Annie dug into her bag to find

the coins and handed it over to
Michael.
While Michael walked away with the coins,
Anu still felt terrible.

But she was quick to realize why Annie did not buy
Kulkuls for all the coins the other day.
Anu looked at her friend and said,
“Annie, now I understand why you saved those coins.
You will always need some extra coins for a day like this.”
As they walked back towards their house,
Anu said, “I promise, I will always save some
coins from today!”
Annie was glad that her best friend understood
the importance of saving money.
Anu Learns to Save

© text Zerodha
© illustrations Tarun Andrews
First published in India, 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means –
graphic, electronic, or mechanical – without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Self published by:

Zerodha
153/154, 4th Cross, Dollors Colony, JP Nagar 4th Phase
Bangalore – 560078, Karnataka, India
www.zerodha.com

Story: Karthik Rangappa

Illustrations: Tarun Andrews
Layout design and editing: Gaius Creative, Bangalore.

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